Key Takeaways
- Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has "deeply appreciate[d] and fully reciprocate[d]" former US President Donald Trump's positive assessment of India-US ties, emphasizing a "very positive and forward-looking Comprehensive and Global Strategic Partnership."
- Modi's statement follows recent remarks from Trump, who, despite affirming his friendship with Modi, expressed disappointment over India's continued Russian oil purchases and the US imposition of tariffs on Indian imports.
- The exchange highlights the complex dynamics of the bilateral relationship, which has seen significant strategic cooperation alongside ongoing trade and energy policy disagreements.
- Earlier this year, both leaders launched the "U.S.-India COMPACT for the 21st Century" and set an ambitious goal to more than double bilateral trade to $500 billion by 2030, with plans for a new Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA) by fall 2025.
Article
New Delhi/Washington D.C. – Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has publicly affirmed the robust and forward-looking strategic partnership between India and the United States, responding to recent sentiments expressed by former US President Donald Trump. Modi took to X (formerly Twitter) to state, "Deeply appreciate and fully reciprocate President Trump's sentiments and positive assessment of our ties. India and the US have a very positive and forward-looking Comprehensive and Global Strategic Partnership."
This statement comes amidst a period of nuanced bilateral relations, characterized by both strong strategic alignment and areas of contention. Just prior to Modi's remarks, President Trump had acknowledged his enduring friendship with Prime Minister Modi, describing the India-US relationship as "very special" and assuring "there's nothing to worry about." However, Trump also voiced disappointment regarding some of Modi's recent actions, specifically citing India's ongoing purchases of Russian oil and the US's imposition of tariffs on Indian imports.
The former US President had also earlier posted on Truth Social suggesting the US had "lost India and Russia to deepest, darkest, China," though he later clarified his position, stating he did not believe this had occurred. These comments underscore the geopolitical complexities influencing the partnership, particularly concerning energy security and global power dynamics.
Despite these recent points of friction, the foundation of the India-US strategic partnership remains strong. In February 2025, President Trump hosted Prime Minister Modi for an Official Working Visit in Washington, D.C., where they reaffirmed their Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership. During this visit, they launched the "U.S.-India COMPACT (Catalyzing Opportunities for Military Partnership, Accelerated Commerce & Technology) for the 21st Century," an initiative aimed at driving transformative change across key pillars of cooperation.
A significant economic objective set during their February meeting was "Mission 500," an ambitious goal to more than double total bilateral trade to $500 billion by 2030. To achieve this, both leaders announced plans to negotiate the first tranche of a mutually beneficial, multi-sector Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA) by the fall of 2025. The Indian Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has consistently emphasized the importance of this relationship, built on shared interests, democratic values, and robust people-to-people ties, asserting its resilience through various transitions and challenges. Both nations are committed to advancing the relationship based on mutual respect and shared interests.
Ed Liston is a senior contributing editor at TheStockMarketWatch.com. An active market watcher and investor, Ed guides an independent team of experienced analysts and writes for multiple stock trader publications.